The Washington Ballet's Biggest Moves

There's nothing more incredible than seeing a dancer master the artistry of a powerful role like Odette/Odile. But let's face it: We're always thrilled once that Black Swan pas coda arrives. Throwing some triples into its series of 32 fouettés won't make or break a ballerina's performance, but boy, can they dazzle an audience.

The Washington Post asked dancers of The Washington Ballet to show readers their "hardest dance moves"—a sort of ode to how crazily physical ballet truly is. An intimidating-sounding (and looking!) 540 battement en rond? I didn't even know that existed. The Cheshire Cat partnered lift that leaves a dancer in free fall in the air? Kind of terrifying. The butterfly? Not as innocent as it sounds.'